Folding machine and method



Feb. 24, 1925. 1,527,396

A. R. RIDDERSTROM FOLDING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed Feb. 28. 1925 4Sheets-Sheet 1 n Il m \& t ,l\

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: Inventor R andrew Rpidacrs trom By @QM/ Ht trney Feb. 24.1925.

A. R. 'RIDDERSTROM FoLINc MACHINE AND mamon Filed Feb. 28. 1923 4Sheets-Sheet 2 Fia. 3

f Inventar" Hndreu/Rdwtrom Httafneg Feb. 24, 1925.

A. R. RIDDERSTROVM FOLDING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed FebQzs. 1923 4Sheets-Sheet 5 Inventor' Haaren/R Riad ers trom A. R. RIDDERSTROMFOLDING MACHINE AND METHOD Feb. .24,` 192s. l 1,527,396

Filed Feb. 28. 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 'l /04 /zz 2 /a /02 32 l o 2 //o M?Bg Y l 'Httomey Patented Feb. 24, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ANDREW yIR. RIDDERSTROM, 0F NAHANT, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR .T0 BEACONFOLDING MACHINE COMPANY, 0F LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION 0FMASSACHUSETTS. v

FOLDING MACHINE AND METHOD.

Continuation in part of application Serial No. 407,336, led September 1,1920, and Serial No. 480,177,

illed J'une 24, 1921. This altiplicatirm led February 28, 1923. SerialNo., 621,952.

To all Awhom t may concer/n:

' Be ,it known that I, ANDREW R. RIDDER- s'ruom, a citizen of the UnitedStates and a resident of Nahant, in the county of Essex and Commonwealthof Massachusettahave invented new and useful Im rovements "in FoldingMachines and Metho s, of which the following is a specification.

The present ap lication is a continuation of applications erial Nos407,336, filed September 1, 1920, and l180,177, filed June 24,1921.

The present invention relates to folding methods and machines, and moreparticularly to methods of and machines for folding a ybinding striparound the edge of a boot or shoe upper to which it is attached.

'to one side thereof.

The binding strip is usually sewed upon a face of the upper along anedge thereof, after which the strip is folded around the said edge andinto even contact with the opposite face. In order that, the bindingstrip, after folding, may lie evenly and smoothly against the saidopposite face, it is necessary that the stripbe first wiped tightly'across the edge to which it is secured and then pulled and held tightlyduring the folding operation and while it is pressed against the saidopposite face; and it is necessary also that the strip be folded eX-actly at the proper points or lines, and not This is very difficult ofachievement even by hand, and no successful mechanical means foroperating upon shoe-upper binding strips have heretofore been devised.Binding strips are therefore still folded laboriously, clumsily andunsatisfactorily by hand, the various operations being performedseparately at different times, wasting much time and adding greatly tothe cost.

It is an vobject of the present invention, accordingly, to improve uponpresent-day methods of folding binding strips, reducing the cost ofmanufacture and yielding a better and more satisfactory product.

To this end, a` feature of the invention contemplates first wiping aportion of the strip, and then advancing or feeding it to a plow, whichfolds the wiped portion of the strip. This opera-tion is continued stepby step, the wiping and the folding being preferably performed duringsuccessive pauses of an intermittent step-by-step feed. Thel wipingaction is effected by a wiper "that acts preferably at a point directl;ropposite to the point of action of a retalner. The folded portions ofthe strip are successively pressed into even contact with the other faceof the sheet. It is well to grip the portions of the strip tightly andto pull them tight until theyv have become pressed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved wiperoperable intermittently at spaced portions only of the strip, and in adirection rearwardly oblique or diagonal to the strip.. The preferredwiper operates not merely in the plane of the stock, but at an angle tothe said plane.

This angular movement results in a more l eflicient wiping action thanVis obtainable from wipers operating in the plane of the stoc i.

In the preferred machine describedand illustrated herein, this object isattained through the use of a rotary wiper that is mounted upon a crankstem disposed lat an angle to its operating shaft. By the very nature ofits construction, furthermore, the Wiper may bemounted very close to thefold presser. The tendency of the fold presser, that would otherwiseexist, to pull the convex portions of the leather out of range of actionof the wiper, is thereby reduced to a considerable extent, with theconsequent result that the portions of the binding strip sewed at convexportions of the leather are wiped as efficiently as those sewed at otherportions of the leather. A very satisfactory and a uniform wiping actionis thus obtained.

The binding strip is usually coated with a layerof cement to cause itvtostick to the leather after it has been pressed down by the fold presser.There is a tendencyy for the cemented face of the binding strip to stickto the edge of the leather when accidentally brought into contacttherewith, preventing the binding strip being l laid evenlyand smoothlyagainst the face of the leather and causing bunching and otherirregularities.

A further object of the invention, thereas will become clear in thecourse of the fol-l lowing description, the invention consists of theimproved method and machine hereinafter described, illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, and defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a view in elevation, partly in longitudinalsection, upon a reduced scale, of @machine constructed according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a plan of theforward part of the machine, the housing 212 being removed; Fig. 3 is anelevation of the forward part of the machine, also with the housing 212removed; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the upper, forward part of themachine, parts being broken away for clearness; Figs. 5, 6 and 7 aredetail plan views, showing three steps performed in the preferredmachine during the operation of folding a binding strip attached to ashoe upper; Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are vertical sections taken substantiallyupon the lines s-8, 9 9 and 1 0-1o of Figs. 5, 6 and 7, respectively,looking .in the directions of the arrows; Flg; 1Q'JL is a view of adetail; Fig. 11 is a longitudinal vertical section taken substantiallyupon the line 11--11 of Fig. 2, looking 1n the direction of the arrows;Fig. 12 is a transverse vertical section taken substantially upon ltheline 12-12 of Fig. 11, looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 13is a plan of the preferred wiper of the present invention, and of itssupport; Fig. 14 is a corresponding front elevation; Figs. 15 and 16 aresectional views of a shoe upper, showing a binding strippas it usuallyappears when attached to a straight edgeand to a concave edge of theupper respectively; Fig. `17 is a section similar to Figs. 15 and 16,showing the binding strip in finally folded position upon the upper;Figs. 18, 19 and 20 are front views of the preferred wiper, shown indifferent positions, Fig. 18 sh'owing the wiper inactive, Fig. 19showingvthe wiper at the commencement of the wiping action, and Fig. 20showing the wiper at the end of the wiping action; Figs. 21, 22 and 23are rear views corresponding, respectively, to Figs. 18, 19 and 20; andFigs. 24, 25 and 26 are plan views ofthe wiper and the shaft -upon whichit is mounted, shown in positions respectively corresponding to Fi s.18, 19 and 20.

The inventlon is i lustrated in the accompanying drawings in connectionwith the folding of a binding strip 2, Figs. 15 and 16, of cloth silkand the like, around the edge 4`of a sheet of leather or other material6, such as a boot or shoe upper, An edge 8 of the binding strip is sewedto a face 10 of the shoe upper along the edge 4, so that the sheet andthe strip extend at an angle to each other from the secured-togetheredges 4 and 8. Resulting from the manner in which the sheet and thestrip are sewed together, the are generally in more or less closeparalle ism, as shown in Fig. 15, but the angle between them may be uitelarge, as is illustrated in Fig. 16. T e stitches are shown at 12 asextending preferably through, or over and around, a reenforcing cord 14positioned upon the other face 16 of the shoe'upper, along the edge 4.It will be understood that the invention is equally applicable to otherarticles than that which is herein chosen for purposes of illustration,Yand the elements of the article need not necessaril shown. t may bedesirable, for ex'ample, to fold an element of-relatively large dibe ofthe relative dimensions' mension over the edge of an element ofrelatively small dimension. For definiteness, the element that is to be'folded will hereinafter be referred to in the specification and theclaims as the strip and the element about the edge of which the strip isto be folded will be hereinafter referred to as the sheet, stock, upper,work, etc., though the adopted terminology may not be strictlyapplicable to the specific article which may be under consideration.With this understanding, the chief object of the invention is to foldproperly a strip, such as the binding strip 2, from the positionillustrated, for xample, in Figs. 15 and 16, into the positionillustrated in Fig. 17.

The method of the present invention may be carried out with a machinebuilt in the main along the lines of a somewhat similar machineillustrated and described in a copending application, Serial No. 352,987filed Januar 21, 1920, and assigned to the assignee of t e presentapplication, but suit-. Y

ably modified. Reference is made to this application and to theaforesaid applications Serial Nos. 407,336 and 480,177 for a fullerdescription of parts of the illustrative machine not fully describedherein, because unnecessary to an understanding of the presentinvention. The shoe upper is initially placed in the preferred machinethe point of action of the wiper.

1,527,396 i a' c plate 34. The machine beinfg` set intol operation,successive portions o the unsecured edge or portion of the strip 2 areintermittently wiped tightly across the secured-together edges 4 and 8,as shown more particularly at 36, Figs. 8 to 10 and 17, by the combinedaction of a wiper 38 and a retainer 246 that presses down heavily atthis time upon the upper directly opposite to It is very important tothe subsequent operation that the strip be wiped very tightly. Thesuccessively wiped portions are then advanced or fed step by step'by thefeed point and a co-operating feed block 41 to the plow 32, by whichthey are initially intermittently folded around the secured-togetheredges 4 and 8,A and they are gripped intermittently between the interiorside face 28, Figs. 8 to 11, of the feed point and the upstanding plow32, becoming thereby pulled tightly. The intermittent wiping, andfolding and gripping operations `are performed upon the successiveportions of the strip alternately during successive pauses inthe feed.The folded portions are then advanced to a fold presser 42. The foldpresser successively presses down the successively formed folds intoeven contact with the. face 16 of thesheet, as shown in Fig. 17.

i' These operations are continued intiined relation to one another untilthe whole strip lh as become folded.

lThe outer portion of the platform or support 24 is shown inclineddownward, to facilitate operation upon sharply concave portions of thestock. Such portions, as is well known, tend to curl as they are openedout. The curled parts are, in the illustrated machine, permitted to benddown upon the inclined portion of the support. If the support wereperfectly level, the strain of the curled portions would be communicatedto the margins that are operated upon, making mani ulati-on difficult.As shown in the drawings, the incline commences close to the operatinginstrumentalities .of the machine, so as to permit the stock to curlclose to the concave margin of the work.

According to the preferred form -of the 'present invention, the wiper 38acts intermittently, at spaced or separated portions only of the strip,while the stock is held stationary, during pauses in the feed. The wiperis bodily actuated in a direction rearwardly diagonal of the strip andobi ue to the plane of the leather sheet to e ect a correspondinglydiagonal wiping action. In Fig. 24, and also enlarged in Fig. G, thewiper is shown in plan view before it engages the strip. It has beenmovin in the direction of the left-hand'arrow, ig. 24,

and is shown just to the rear of a limitingV line 39, Figs. 24. 25 and26. Corres ending end and rear views are shown in igs. 18

to that of Fig. 7 towards the unsecured edge 2G of the strip. In sodoing, it moves obliquely rearward from the line 39 ai d above ahorizontal plane 29, Figs. 18 to 23, so as to bite the more firmly intothe strip and wipe it the more tightly across the secured-together edges4 and 8, as shown Iat 36, Figs. 8 to 10 and 17. This action of the wiperoblique to the plane of the sheet, and the wiping action oblique ordiagonal to thestrip,v are considered to be very important features ofthe present invention: the former action insuring tight wiping; and thelatter, by imposing less strain upon the strip than would be the case ifthe wiping were effected forcefully directly across or at right anglesto the strip, reducing to a minimum the danger of tearing the strip. Thelatter danger is particularly to be guarded against because the retainer246 is necessarily adjusted to press down very heavily upon the stock toprevent the wiper dragging the 'upper as aV whole awayT from theretainer, and too strong action by the wiper in ay direction at rightangles to the strip is liable to result in tearing the strip andrendering it unfit for further use. The successive, active wipingportions of the wiper remain, however, at the same level. directlyopposite the retainer, so that the retainer, when operating idly, cannot engage the wiper and injure it.

The wiper continues to move diagonallyv to the strip, from the positionof Figs. 19. 22,` 25 and 7, to the position of Figs. 2l), 23, 2G and 5.The wiper dips at the same time below the horizontal plane 29, movingalsov in the direction of the arrow of Fig. 26. in preparation for itsnext upward oblique movement. During the return movement of the wiper.it is vertically considerably below the horizontal plane 29, so as notto engage the stock during the return movement.` The cycle of operationsisthen resumed, the stock having meanwhile been fedforward another step.The complete diagonal rearward movement of the wiper. as seen in plan,will be understood from a study of the successively assumed positionsshown-in Figs. G, 7 and 5.

The above-described, desired operation of the Wiper may be attained inmany ways. as will be .understood by persons skilled in the art, andlall such are considered to be within the scope of the presentinvention, the preferred way being illustrated in Figs. 13. 14 and 18 to26 inclusive. for-the purpose of explaining a. practical embodiment ofthe invention, as is required by the statutesn The preferred wiper isshown prollO vided with a cylindrical opening by means of which ltmay bemounted over a crank stem or eccentric31 that is mounted at the end of arotatin shaft 52 at an angle to the shaft. The shaft 52 is rotated inthe direction of the arrow 27, Fig. 24, b mechanism hereinafter to bedescribe The wiper is retained in place upon the crank stem between anintegral flange 37 and the head of a screw 43 that is screwed intoposition within a screw-threaded opening 44 that extends longitudinallyinward from the end of the cranksteam 31. It is found that the bestresults are obtained by so inclining f and offsetting the eccentric orcrank stem 31 that the stationary points 45 of the crank stem that is inline with the axis 46 of the shaft 52, at which no rotation takes place,shall be near the free end of the crank stem. as will be clear from'Figs. 24, 25 and 26. It will befunderstood, however, that the detailsand the dimensions may be modified and varied without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention. The di'- ago'nal progress of thewiper is indicated by the inclination of the line 35 passing through thestationary point and any given point of .the wiper, as the centre of itswiping face.

The shaft 52 is mounted in a bearing 54, Figs. 2, 3, 4, 13 and 14, andis held-against longitudinal movement within the bearing by the integralflange 37 on one side and a collar 47, that is'secured to the shaft 52my a pin 48, on the other. As the shaft' is rotated, the obliquelydisposed crank stem 31 will be moved to successive positions indicatedin Figs. 24, 25 and 26, causing the wiper to be wiggled in a fashionthat will be readily understood by persons skilled in the art. As thewiper is loosely mounted about the crank stem, it tends to rotate idlythereabout. To keep its active face always properly presented to thestock, therefore,

18 to 23, that is adapted to ride upon or over a lug 50. The shape ofthe cam determines the amount by which the wiper is raised above theplane 29, and also how nearly level the successively acting wipingportions of the wiper shall be. The portions of the calm shoulder 49between the points 51 and 53 are caused to ride back and forth over thelug during the cycle of operation of the wiper, in a mannerthat will beclear from Figs. 21, 22 and 23, to produce the above-described wipingaction.

The other or free end of the shaft 52 is provided with a ball 56 mountedin a socket 58 upon the forward end of a shaft 60. The purpose of thisconstruction is to permit of adjusting the wiper vertically and toenable disposing the shaft 52 at an inclination, as shown in Fig. 2, soas to bring the wiper closer to the fold presser. Thel verit 1s providedwith a cam shoulder 49, Figs.-

tical ad'ustment may be effected by vertically a justing the bracket 61,Figs. 3, 4 and 14, that carries the bearing 54 and the lug 50, throughthe medium of screws 63 in enlarged openings 65. The vertical adjustmentmay be effected without disturbing the ball-and-socket connectionbetween the shafts 52 and 60. A screw 67 may be provided forfine-adjustment purposes. Its lower end 69,Fig. 3, is threaded 1nto astationary part of the frame of the machine and thereby determines theexact vertical position of the wiper. The bracket 61 may therefore beremoved, if occasion should require, and it may then 'be replaced, thescrew 67 insuring that' there shall be no necessity for readjustingvthe-position of the wiper, and the screws 63 ser to lock the bracket inthe required adiuste position.

lt results from this construction that the wiper is moved forwardwiththe wiped str1p, becoming positioned very close to the fold presserat the limit of its forward movement, and making it possible to operatemore effectively on sharp convex curves, that would otherwise be pulledout of range of the wiper by the fold presser, if the wiper were furtheraway from the fold presser.

The wiper, on other portions of its cycle, assumes a position justopposite to the separator 143.

The shaft carries a gear 62 that meshes with a gear 64 upon a drivingshaft 66 that is horizontally journaled in bearin s of the machineframe. The ball-and-soc et connection permits the shaft 60 beinginclined to the driving shaft 66, as will be understood from Figs. 2 and3. By means of this construction, the wi er is rotated from .the drivingshaft throug the medium of a pin-andslot relationship between the balland the socket elements of the ball-and-socket connect-ion. ATo time-themovement of the wiper with respect to the other operatinginstrumentalities of the machine, provision is made for adjusting themeshing engagement of the ears 62 and 64. The adjustment may be e ectedby unscrewing1 screws 69 to loosen a bracket 71 within w ich the end 73of the shaft 60 is journaled. The shaft 60 may then be angularlyadjusted to the extent of one tooth or more and the bracket 71 may thenbe returned to its normal position and resecured in place by the screws69.

To drive the driving shaft, it is provided with a hand-and-balance wheel68,.'Fig. 1, having a clutch face that 'is adapted to be frictionallyengaged by a clutch face 72 of Valoose driving cone pulley 74. The conepulley is normally separated from the handand-balance wheel by a spring76, but may be actuated toward the latter, to effect frictionalengagement of the clutch faces, by a bell-crank lever 78 pivoted at 8Oand operable through a treadle or other manually controlled device (notshown) that is connected to the bell-crank lever by a link 82. Accordingas the treadle is depressed more or less, the clutch faces will engagemore or less firmly, thus providing for va ing the s eed of rotation ofthe driving s aft 66.

pon the release of the treadle, the bellcrank lever will. be returned toits illus;

tinted, ineffective position by a compression spring84 mounted lupon -arod 86` that 1s pivotally mounted at its lower end in an abutment 88.The spring 76 wlll at the same time separate the clutch faces 70 andv72, and a brake 90, that is also pivoted at 80, will be acted upon at193 by an adjustable member 92 that it carried by the bell-crank` leverto stop the rotative movement of the -as by a set screw (not shown), toa rocking support 94. The rocking support is pivotally mounted about arod 96 that is secured to the frame of the machine by a screw 98. Therocking support 94 is provided with a diagonally disposed cylindricalopening 100, Figs. 11 and 12, within which is slidingly mounted adiagonallyT cylindrical block 102 the upper flat face of which issubstantially horizontal, as shown at 104. rlfhe angle of inclination ofthe opening 100 is preferably in the neighborhood of thirty degrees. Thecylindrical block 102 is adapted to be actuated by an eccentric or crankpin 106 of the driving shaft 66. The eccentric or crank pin 'isrotatably mounted in the block 1.02 and extends through an opening 108of the rocking support 94. Rotative movement of the shaft 66 will beconverted by the eccentric into combined slid ing and oscillating orrotative movement of the block` 102 and this, in turn, will effect arocking movement of the rocking support abo-.it the rod 96.

The feed point 30 is pivotally mounted at 110 upon the rocking support94 so as be rocked therewith and with the lower feed block 41. and isnormally maintained in contact with the feed block by a leaf spring 112one end 114 of` which is secured to the frame of the machine, as shownin Fig. 1, and the other end 116 l(Fig. 11) of which presses down uponthe body portion 118 of the feed point. The body portion 118 is slotted.as shown in Fig. 12, and ascrow post 120 is adjustabl clamped betweenthe side walls of the slot'liy a screw 122, Fig. 1l. The upper face 104of theblock 102 is adapted to engage the post 120, thereby to raise thefeed point 30, in opposition to the pressure of the spring 112.

As the driving shaft 66 is rotated the rocking support 94 is rocked fromright to left and from left to right, as viewed .in Fig. 12, impartingan oscillating movement to the lower feed block 41 and the upper feedpoint 30 which are carried thereby. During the left-to-right movement,the feed point 30 will be separated from vthe feed block 41 by theaction of the cylindrical block 102, which then occupies lts upperpositions. During the right-to-left Inove-4 ment, the block 102 will liein the lower portions of the cylindrical opening 100, and the feed pointwill he spring-pressed into engagement with the feed block, which willthus advance to the fold presser the upper clamped therebetween.

During the left-to-right oscillating movement of the rocking support,while the separated feed point and feed block return to take a new holdupon the stock in preparation for the next forward feed movement,ortions of the strip 2 that have previously been wiped are engaged bythe plow and by it given an initial fold, as will be clear from Fig. 5.ln this figure, the feed elements and the plow are shown as havingretraced their movement to the starting point and as about to `moveforward again, in the. direction of the arrow. As the plow is integralwith the feed block, it will oseillate with the feeding' means.

During the backward movement ofthe feed elements and the plow from thevfold presser towards thewiper, the feed point first rises from thefull-line position to the dotted-line position of Fig. 1l. Then, towardsthe end of the backward movement, it descends again to the full-lineposition. During this backward movement, a space is provided between theinterior face 28 of the feed point and the plow, allowing the strip inbetween to become slack or loose. The plow is thus enabled to fold mosteffectively, without interference from friction by the feed point. Theyspace between the feed point and the plow should be just large enoughfor this purpose, and neither larger nor smaller. The desired relationbetween the feed point and the plow may be regulated to some extent bythe adjusting screw 138. The position of the pivotal pointis alsoimportant in this connection. This` pivotal point should be above thedottedline position of the interior face 28 of the feed point, as shown,and it should be far enough back so that the feed point shall not risetoo high. and down, of the feed point is all that is necessary. Thedegree of adjustment of the screw post is therefore another determiningfactor. The importance of having A slight movement, up

the parts properly relatively positioned will be understood from aconsideration of what will otherwise happen. If the interior face 28 ofthe feed point is too far away from the plow, the strip and part of theupper to which it is attached will curl over` too far towards the left,as viewed in Fig. 8. There will then be a tendency for the line of foldto occur somewhereI in the upper near the edge 4, instead of at theproper place in the strip. Bv suitable design. the feed point and theplow may be made to cooperate to predetermine the fold at just the rightline or point. lf the feed point travels too high above the plow, itmight catch against the top of the strip during its descent and crushit. If the feed point is too close to the. plow. the strip may becomejammed thereby against the plow and injured. When the feed point and theplow are properly positioned relatively to each other, the feed point,during its descent, will approach the plow at an angle, from thedotted-line position to the full-linel position of Fig. 11, to force thestrip tightly inward against the plow and to maintain the-strip pulledtight during the subsequent feed movement until the feed point againrises preparatory to the next return feed movement. When the feed pointrises. the strip is readily released once more. so that it again liesloosely, enabling the plow to fold properly.

The binding strip is nnlintained in folded position upon the facel 16 ofthe leather by previously applied cement. If the initially folded stripwere permitted to Contact with the edges 4 and 8 before it has become.tightly gripped and pulled tight by the coinbined action of the feedpoint and the plow, it would not be possible to pull the strip tight,and the resulting fold would be defect-ive. A separator 143 is thereforepro- "vifded -to'maintain the strip separated from the raw edges 4 and 8until after the feed point and thc plow have had an opportunity to pullthe. strip tight. It is preferred to have the separator situated just infront of the position occupied by the plow on its rearward movement, ata. point directly opposite to the position occupied at times by thewiper. The separator is carried upon the end of an arm 145 that. ispivoted about a stud 147 mounted on the upper end of the bracket 6l. Theseparator is floating, being maintained yieldingly in the illustrated,active position b v a spring 149, but itmay be pivotally lifted out ofthe way, when desired, by pressing down upon a linger piece 151 integralwith the arm 145 upon they other side of the pivotal stud 147. Theseparator 143 is maintained in place be- 'tween the binding strip andthe raw edges 4 and 8 until the forward movement of the feed elements,carrying the stock with them,

causes the separator to be left behind. T he binding strip can not,"therefore, stick to the edges 4 and 8 before it has been properly foldedover.

The upper is advanced by the feed elements and the plow to a diagonallyoffset edge 144 (Figs. 4 and 5) of the fold presser 42. under which edgethe initially plowfolded strip is positioned and by which it is pinchedat the very fold. The pinched fold is later pressed into evencontactwith thel .face 16 of the upper and over and around the cord 14.This will be further described below. The fold presser is floatinglypivoted at 146, Figs. 3 and 10, to one end of a link 148, the other endof which is eecentrically connected by a pin 150, Fig. l, to a spiralgear 152 meshing with a spiral gear 154 upon the driving shaft 66. Thefold presser, the feeding instrumentalities, the. plow and the wiper arethus operated from the same driving shaft in timed relation to oneanother. The exterior surface of the fold presser is cylindrical, asshown at 156, Figs. 3 and 8, so as to rock within a cylindrical bearing158 provided at the free end of an arm 160 the other end of which ispivoted at 162. By means of this doubly-pivoted, floating mounting ofthe fold presser at 146 and 162, its curvilinear working face 164 may beraised from or lowered toward the platform or support 24. The.curvilinear Working face 164 of the fold presser, due to thedoubly-pivotal, floating mounting, and the action of the cylindricalbearing 158, descends with a rolling action upon the strip. Thepreviously pinched fold, after it is advanced, on the next feedmovement, under the cylindrical face 164, is thus pressed out or rolledover. The rolling action of the fold presser is very important, for itprovides for progressively rolling or ironing the stri from the pinchedportion 4of the fold inward towards the unsecured or free edge 26 of thestrip, thereby rolling the strip over and around the cord 14 and intoeven contact with the face 16 of the upper. If the fold presser camedown flat, with a single effective blow, it would press, the stripacross the cord. but not around it. By the abovedescribed mounting, itis possible to set the fold presser very low, so as to enable it to pushthe strip against, over and around the cord. The fold presser isspring-pressed towards the support 24 by a compression spring 166, Fig.3, mounted upon. a rod 168 extending through an opening not shown) inthe arm 160 and screw-threa ed into the frame. By means of the screwthreads, the pressure of the spring upon the arm 160 may be adjusted,the ends of the spring being confined between the arm and a knurled head170 upon the rod 168. This construction permits a yielding action of theloo mames fold resser u )on the stri, relicvine' the.`

strain thereon, while permitting a positive separation of the foldpresser from the strip by the link 148. lhe yielding tension exerted bythe spring 166 from behind the fold )resser contributes to theabove-described ironing out eii'ect roduced by the working' ward awayfrom the operating instrumeniid talities of the machine; to hold thestock firmly against accidental movement during the return movement ofthe feed elements; and, cooperating with the wiper, to grip the stock ata point near lthe raw edge. directly opposed to the point of action ofthe wiper, and to hold the stock while the wiper performs its wipingaction. The preferred retainer is shown bowediout at 248 so as notto'obstruct the view of the operator. The retainer 246 is provided withteeth 232, o1 is otherwise roughcned, 'the more firmly to hold thestock. The retainer presses down rrnly, and the wiper wipes, during thereturn movement of the feed elements. the feed elements resecuring theirgrip upon the stock, in preparation foranother feed movement, the wiperand the retainer release their hold upon the stock, the wipermoving'downward, away from the stock as has already been described, andthe retainer similarly moving upward. The retaineroperating mechanismwill not be described herein, because other retainers may be employedequally well without departing from the sco e of the present invention.The details o lthe operating mechanism of the retainer shownin thedrawings of the illustrative machine will be found described in theaforesaid applications.V

The preferred wiper is shown provided with teeth of somewhat spiralshape, extending. substantially in the direction of movement of thewiper. An end of a spiral tooth iirst strikes the work, and theremaining portions of the tooth scrape angularly successively over thebinding strip during .the

`above-described wiggle movement of the wiper. The action 1s somewhatthe same as that performed bythe teeth of a spiral gear. A single toothupon the wi er, properly positioned and of the proper s ape, is probablyall that is strictly needed, for its end can grip the binding strip atthe place where the latter is secured to 'the leather and smoothly workits complete length across Upon the strip during the wiggle movement ofthe wiper. A plurality of teeth, however, are employed, as illustrated,because it is very difficult to design the one toothse as to work proierly in all machines and under all conditions, and the additional teethare capable of wiping portions of the binding strip that are missed bythe one tooth.

Before the machine is started, it is desirable to raise the feed pointfrom the feed block to permit the insertion of the upper therebetween. Apreferred construction for raising the feed point is illustrated inFigs. 1 and 11. The feed point rests upon thc screw 123, but is adaptedto be raised therefrom through` a rod 300 that is vertically disposed inan opening 302 of the rocking support 94. rlhe rod 300 rests upon thehead of a rodSOe that is slidably mounted in a vertical opening 306provided transversely through the rod 96.. The rod 304 rests upon oneend of a lever 30'? ivoted at 308 and that is normally maintained iu theillustrated position by a spring 310 coiled about a rod m2. The lowerend of the rod ,312 is pivotally mounted in a stationary abutment, justbehind the abutment 88 showntin Fig. l (shown at 314 in Fig. 3 of thedrawings of application, Serial No. 407,336). A treadle (not shown)actingI upon a link Siti, is adapted to actuat'e the lever 30'?v so asto cause the raisingr of the rods 304C and 300 an l, through them, ofthefeed point 30.

The operation of the preferred machine will be better understood from astudy of iF 5 to l0., which represent the relative positions of theoperating instrun'leutalities of the illustrative machine at spacedpoints in the cycle of operation. ln"'Figs. (il-and 9, the feed elementsare assumed to have reached the end of the forward feed movement. Duringthis feed movement, the retainer and the wiper have both released their.hold upon the stock. The fold presser is assumed to be descending toiron out the fold. During the fold-pressing operation. the feed ointrises, as is shown more par-l ticularly 1n Fig. 10, releasing its holdupon the material. With the feed block and the plow, 1t then returnstowards the positions illustrated in Figs. 5 and 8. During this returnmovement, the retainer 246 presses down hard against the stock at apoint opposite to the point of operation of the wiper, as aboveexplained. The wiper thus cooperates with the retainer at this time,while the strip is stationary, to wipe or stretch the strip tightlyacross the edge of the stock, as is shown in Fig. 10. The action of thewiper diagonal to the strip and oblique to the plane of the sheet hasbeen described above. Very efficient wiping is thus effected, and thestock is not driven directly against the plow, which would causedragging of the stock against the plow and interfere with feeding thestock. `During the return movement of the feed elements, the plowinitially folds that portion lof the strip over which it rides and whichhas been previously wiped, as will be clear from the successivepositions shown in Figs. 6, 7 and-5. As the plow is rigid with the feedblock, it acts also as a-gage, thereby additionally helping topredetermine the fold. The substantial distance separating the plow fromthe wiper, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7 during the return'movement of thefeed elements, helps the action of both the plow and the wiper. Itenables the plow to fold properly without interference from otherelements of the machine, which might otherwise drag against the strip;and the wiper could not work at all effectively if the plow were not atsome distance away. The wiper is effective during substantially thewhole return movement of the plow, and the folding operation of the plowcontinues until the plow is returned to a point very close to the wiper,as shown in Fig. 5. Towards/the end of the return movement of the feedelements, the feed point descends obliquely to the plow, from thedotted-line position to the full-line position of F ig. l1, eectingfrictional engagement of the strip between the plow and the interiorside face 28 of the feed point, and causing the wiped strip to be pulledtightly in a direction away from the secured-together edges 4 and 8. Theaction is aided by the use of a sharp projection 33 upon the plow. Thefeed' point and the feed block clamp the material in preparation for thenext forward feed movement, Figs. 5 and 8. The feed point and the plowmaintain their tight hold upon the strip during the forward feedmovement until the feed point again rises, at the end of the feedmovement. The preferred wiper acts at closely positioned, isolatedpointsonly, while the stock is stationary, during pauses in the feed. Thestock is solidly gripped at all times during the forward feed movement,permitting no opportunity for the stock to slip, and the line of fold`of the strip about the edgesY 4 and 8 is absolutely predetermined. Theinitial, predetermined fold is advanced Aunder the diagonally offsetedge of the fold presser, by which it is pinched. The initially pinchedfold is, at the next feed movement, brought under the curvilinearworking face 164 of the fold presser, by which it is ironed out. Theabove-described cycle of operations is then repeated.

All prior proposals tofold binding strips by machinery have met withfailure. The proposals have been of two chief classes: first, to performall the operations of wiping, folding, pressing and the like in the samemachme; and secondly, to perform some of the operations in one machineor by hand, and the remaining operations in another machine. Thedifficulties attendant upon the first class of proposals are testifiedto lby the nature and the paucity of the sug estions made, and theimpossibility of maingV the proposed machlnes work in practice; so muchso, in fact, that some manufacturers had come to the definite conclusionthat the work could not be accomplished in a single machine. Equallyunsuccessful have proved the proposals of the second class, to fold bymachinery a binding strip about the edge of the upper to which it issewed, after the binding strip has first been wiped across perform.properly. If the-wiping is performed by hand or otherwise before theupper is introdufed into the machine, furthermore, the machine will beunable to correct the errors of the previous wiping. This isparticularly true when, as is usually the case, cement is employed tocause the strip to stick to the upper after it is folded. The cementcauses the strip to stick to the upper in its previously wipedcondition, resisting the action of the wiper of the illustrativemachine, so that the latter can not effect the wiping action roperly. Ifthe strip is not wiped tight y to start with, it can not, of course,fold properly.

It will be understood that the invention is not restricted to the exactembodiment thereof that is herein illustrated and described. Theinvention partakes somewhat of a pioneer character in that it providesnot only a new method of folding a binding strip around the edge of thenper to which it is attached, but also, for t e first time, successfulmechanical means, operable in accordance with the method, for carryingout all the operations connected with the folding of binding strips.Changes and modifications will therefore obviously occur to personsskilled in the art, and those are considered to be embraced within thespirit and scope of the present invention, as defined in the appendedclaims.

The invention having been thus illustrated and described, what isclaimed as new is 1. The method of folding a strip around the edge of asheet of material to one face of which, along the said edge, an edge ofthe strip is Asecured so that the sheet and the strip extend from thesecured-together edgesl at an angle to each other, the said methodcomprising feeding the sheet and the strip, moving po'rtlons of theunsecured edge of the strip' acro the secured-together l' `edges whenthe sheet and the stri edges at an angle to each other, the said methodcomprising feeding the sheet and the-strip over a support, wipingsuccessive portions of the unsecured ed e of the strip across the'secured-together e ges when they reach a predetermined position upon thesupport, folding the wiped portions around the secured-together edgeswhen they reach a seco-nd position upon the support, and pressing thefolded portions into even contact with the other face of the sheet whenthey reach a third position upon the support.

3. The method of folding a strip around the edge of a sheet of materialtoone face of which, along the said edge, an edge of the strip issecured so that the sheet and the strip extend lfrom thesecured-together edges at an angle to each other, the said methodcomprising feeding the sheet and thestrip step by step,vmoving portionsof the unsecured edge of the strlp across the secured-together edgesduring pauses in the feed, folding the moved portions around thesecured-together edges during anses in the feed subsequent to the pausesuring which Vthey were moved across the securedftogether edges, andpressing the folded portions -into even contact with the lother face of.the sheet.

4. The method of folding a strip around i the edge of a sheet ofmaterial to one face of which, along the said edge, an edge of the stripis secured so that the sheet and the strip extend from thesecured-together` edges at an angle to each other, a cord being securedto the other face of the sheet along the secured-together edges, thesaid method comprising wiping the strip tightly across thesecured-together edges, fo ding the strip and pulling it tightly aroundthe secured-together edges, and ressing the strip snugly over andVaround t e cord and into even contact with the said other face of thesheet.

5. A machine for folding a strip around the edge of a sheet ofmaterialto one face of which, along the said edge, an edge of the stripis secured so that the sheet andthe strip extend from thesecured-together edges at an angle to each other, the said machinehaving, in combination, means for moving the stri across thesecured-together edges, means or'preliminarily determining a line offold in thestrip and folding the strip :season around thesecured-together edges along the predetermined line, and means forpressing the folded strip into contact with the other 'ace of the sheetalong the predetermined ine.

6. A machine for folding a strip around the ed e-of 'a sheet of materialto one face of which, along the said edge, an` edge 0f the strip issecured so that the sheet and the strip extend from the secured-togetheredges at an angle to each other, the said machine having, incombination, means for moving portions of the unsecured edge of thestrip across the secured-together edges means for folding the movedportions around the secured-together edges, .and means for feeding themoved portions from the moving means to the foldin means.

The method of fol ing a strip around the ed e of a sheet of material toone face of which, along the said edge, an edge of the strip is securedso that the sheet and the strip extend from the secured-together edgesat' an angle to each other, the said method comprislng successivelyfolding successive portions of the unsecured edge of the strip andpulling them tightly around the secured-together edges, pinching thesuecessively folded portions of the strip at the folds against thesheet, and then pressingthe successively folded portions of the stripinto contact with the other face of the sheetn 8; A machine for foldingastrip around the edge of a sheet of material to one face ofA which,along the said edge, an edge of thestrip is secured, so that the sheetand the strip extend from the secured-together edges vat an angle toeach other, the said machine havin in combination, a support, meansforfee ing the sheet and the strip over the support, a wiper for wipingsuccessive portions of the unsecured edge of the strip across thesecured-together edges when the said portions reach a predeterminedposition upon the support, means for folding the wiped portions aroundthe secured-together edges when the said wiped portions reach a secondpredetermined position upon the support, and a fold .presser forpressing the folded portions into even contact with the other face ofthe sheet when they reach a third predetermined position upon thesupport.

9. A machine for folding a strip around the edge of a sheet of materialto one 'face of which, along the said edge, an edge ,of the strip issecured so that the sheet and the lstrip extend from thesecured-together edges atan angle to each other, a cord being secured tothe otherface of the sheet along the secured-together edges, the saidmachine having, in combination, means for wiping the strip tightlyacross the securedetogether edges, and a fold-'presser for 'pressing thestrip snugly over and around the cord and into even contact with thesaid other face of the sheet.

10. The method of folding a strip around the edge of a sheet of materialto one face of which, along the said edge, an edge of the strip issecured, a cord being secured to the other face of the sheet along thelsecured-together edges, the said method comprising folding` the striparound the secured-together edges, and pressing the strip snugly overand around the cord and into even contact with the said other face ofthe sheet.

11. A machine for folding a strip around the ed e of a sheet of materialto one face of which, along the said edge, an edge of the strip issecured, a cord being secured over and aroun to the other face of thesheet along the secured-together edges, the4 said machine having, incombination, means for folding the strip around the secured-togetheredges, and means for ressing the strip snugly the cord and into evencontact with the said other face of the sheet.

12. A folding machine having, in combination, a wiper for wi ing a stripacross the edge of a sheet o material to one face of which, along thesaid edge, the strip is secured, a 4plow for folding the wiped strip`around the said edge, and means whereby the plow is separated asubstantial distance from the wiper when the latter is effective.

13. A folding machine having, in Vcombination, a Wiper for wiping astrip across the edge of a sheet of material toA one face of which,along the said edge, the strip is secured, means intermittently movableto feed the wiped strip, and a plow movable with the feeding meansadapted to foldthe wiped strip during the return movement of the feedingmeans, the wiper being effective during the return movement of the plowuntil the plow reaches a position close to the wiper, whereby the wiperis effective during substantially the whole return movement of the plowand the plow folds the lwiped strip up to a point very close to .thesecure -together edges during pauses in the feed subsequent to thepauses during which they were moved across the securedtogether edges.

15. A machine for folding a strip around the edge of a sheet of materialto one face of which,a 1ong the said edge, an edge of the strip issecured so that the sheet and the strip extend from the secured-togetheredges at an angle to each other, the said machine having, incombination, means for feeding the sheet and the strip step by step,means for moving portions of the unsecured edge of the strip across thesecured-together edges during pauses in the feed, means for folding themoved portions around the secured-together edges during pauses in thefeed subsequent 4 to the pauses during which they were moved across thesecuredtogether, edges, and means for pressing the folded portions intoeven contact with the other face of the sheet. l

16. A folding machine having, in combination, a wiper for wiping a stripacross the edge of a sheet of material to one face of which, along thesaid edge, the strip is secured, a retainer for retaining the sheetagainst movement acting upon the other face of the sheet, means forfolding the strip around the said edge, and means for pressing the stripinto even contact with the said other 'face of the sheet.

17. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a wiper forwiping a strip acrossthe edge of a sheet of material to one face ofwhich, along the said sol edge, the strip is secured, means for feedingthe sheet step by step, a retainer for retaining the sl.` eet againstmovement during pauses in the feed, and means for relatively adjustingthe wiper and the retainer.

18 A machine of the class described having, in combination, a wiper forwiping a sti'ip across the edge of a sheet of material to one face ofwhich, along the said edge, an edge of the strip is secured so that thesheet'and the strip extend from the securedtogether edges at an angle toeach other, a support for the sheet, means for feeding the sheet and thestrip over the support, and

a retainer for retaining the sheet against movement, the retainer havinga'roughened portion, the wiper and thc roughened portion beingconstructed and arranged to act at oppositely disposed points onopposite faces of the sheet.

19. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a wiper anda springpressed retainer co-operating to wipe a strip across the edge ofa sheet of material to which it is secured, the wiper and the retainerbeing constructed and arranged to act at oppositely disposed points onopposite faces of the sheet.

` 20. A machine of thepclass described havmg, in combination, a wiperfor wiping a strip acrossnthe edge of a sheet of materialV to one faceof which, along the said edge, the strip is secured, a support for thesheet, means for feeding the sheet and the strip over the support, and aretainer for acting upon the other face of thesheet at a point oppositeto the point of action of the wiper during the wiping action of thewiper, the retainer' being provided' with means for retaining the sheetagainst displacement by the wiper. I

21. A folding lmachine having, in corn'- bination, a wiper for wiping astrip across the edge of a sheet of material to one face of which, alongthe said edge, the strip is secured, and a plow for, folding the wipedportions of the strip around the said edge.

22. A machine for folding astrip around the edge 'of a sheet of materialto one face of which, along the said edge, an edge of the strip issecured so that the sheet and the strip extend from the secured-togetheredges at an angle to each other, the said machineA having, incombination, a wiper for wiping the strip across the secured-togetheredges, a plow for initially pfolding the wiped strip around thesecured-together edges, and means for pressing the initially foldedstrip against the other face of the sheet.

23. A machine for folding a strip around the edge of a sheet of materialto one face of which, along the said edge, an edge of the strip issecured so that the sheet and the strip extend from the. secured-t0ether edges at an angle to each other, the said machine having, incombination, means for feeding the sheet and the strip' step by step, awiper for successively wiping successive portions of the unsecured edgeof the strip across the secured-together edges during successive pausesin the feed, means for successively foldin the successively wipedportions and pu ling them tightly around the secured-together edgesduring successive pauses in the feed subsequent to the pauses duringwhich they were wiped, and a fold presser for pressing the foldedportions of the strip into even. contact with the other face of thesheet.

24. A machine for folding a strip around the edge of al sheet ofmaterial to one face of which, along the said edge, an edge of the stripis secured so that the sheet and the strip extend from thesecured-together edges at an angle to each other, the having, incombination, a wiper for wiping the strip across the secured-togetheredges, a retainer for retaining the sheet against Y movement, means forfolding the wiped strip around the secured-together edges, and meansfonpressng the strip into even contact with the-other face of the sheet.

25. A machine for folding a strip around the edge of a sheet -ofmaterial to` one face of which, along the said edge, an edge of saidmachine.

the strip is secured so that the sheet and the strip extend from thesecured-together edges at an angle to each other, the said machinehaving, in combination, means for moving the unsecured edge of the stripacross the secured-together edges, means for folding the moved striparound the securedtogether edges, and means cooperating with the foldinglmeans for pulling thestrip tightly around the secured-together edges.

26. A machine for folding 'a strip around the edge of axsheet ofmaterial to one face of which, along the said edge, an-edge-of `thestrip is secured so -that the slieet and the strip extend from thesecured-together edges at'an angle to each other, the said machinehaving, in combination, means for feeding the sheet and the strip, meansfor moving the unsecured edge of the strip across thesecured-togetheredges, means for folding the moved strip around thesecuredtogether edges and for cooperating with the feeding means to pullthe strip tightly around the secured-together edges, and means forpressing the strip into even contact with other face of the sheet.

27. A machine for folding a strip around the edge of a sheet of materialto one face of which, along the said edge, an edge of the strip issecured so that the. sheet and the strip extend from thesecured-together edges at an angle' to-each other, the said.machine-having, in combination, a uf'iper acting intermittently to wipeseparated portions of the strip tightly across the securedtogetheredges, means for intermittently pulling the wiped portions tight andinitially folding them around the secured-together edges, means forintermittently feeding the wiped portionsfrom the wiper to the vpulling"means, and'a fold-presser for press-ing the initially foldedportionsinto even contact with` the other face of the sheet.

28. A machine for folding a strip around the edge of a sheet of materialto one face of which, along the said edge, an edge of the strip issecured so that the sheet and the strip extend from the secured-togetheredges at an angle to each other, the said machine having, incombination, a Wiper 4acting intermittently to wipe sp'aced portions ofthe strip tightly across the securedtogetheredges, a plow for initiallyfolding the wiped portions around the secured-together edges, a foldpresser for pressing the initially folded -portions into even contactwith theother face of the sheet, and means for operating the wiper, theplow andthe fold presser in timed relation to one another.

29. 'A machine for folding a strip around the edge of a sheet ofmaterial to one faceV of which, along the said edge, an edge of thestrip is secured so that the sheet and the strip extend from thesecured-.together edges at an angle to each other, the said ,machinehaving, in combination, a wiper toget er edges, and a fold presser forpressing the strip into even contact with the other face of the sheet.

30. A machine for folding a strip around t-he edge of a sheet ofmaterial to one face of which, along the said edge, an edge of the stripis secured so that the sheet and the strip extend from thesecured-together edges at an angle toeach other, the said machinehaving, in combination, means for wiping the strip tightly' across thesecuredtogether edges, means for folding the strip after it has beenwiped around the securedtogether edges, and a floating .separatoradapted to lie yieldably between the strip and the secured-togetheredges.

31. A machine for folding a strip around lthe edge of a sheet ofmaterial to one face of which, along the said edge, an edge of the stripis secured so that the sheet and the strip extend from thesecured-together edges at an angle to each other, the said machinehaving, in combination, a feed block, a feed point cooperating with thefeed block, a wiper for tightly wiping the strip across thesecured-together edges, a plow movable with the feed block between whichand the feed point the strip is adapted to be gripped, means whereby thewiped strip is adapted to be gripped between the feed point and theplow, thereby pulling the wiped strip tightly and initially folding thewiped strip around the secured-together edges, a separator adapted tolie between the strip and the secured-together edges at a point directly0pposite to the wiper, the plow being adapted to be moved close to theseparator on the rearward movement of the feed block, and a fold presserfor pressing the initially folded strip into even contact with the otherface of the sheet, the plow being adapted to be moved close to the rearportion of the fold presser von the forward movement of the feed block.

32. A machine for wiping a strip across the edge of a' sheet of materialtoene face of which, along the said edge, an edge of the stripisi-secured so that the sheet and the strip extend from thesecured-together edges at an angle to each other, the said machinehaving, in combination, a rotary shaft having a crank stem disposed atan angle to the shaft, and a wiper for wiping the strip Laaste y, y

and the secure -together edges to separate i the strip from thesecured-together edges,

and means for folding the moved strip around the secured-together edgesand for gaging the sheet. A

34. The method of a strip across the edge of a'sheet of material to oneface of which, along the said edge, an edge of the strip is secured sothatthe sheet and the strip extend from the secured-together edges at anangle to each other, the said method comprising engaging the strip atpoints where the strip is secured to the sheet, holding the sheetstationary, and wiping the strip diagonally across the secured-togetheredges from the said points towards the unsecured edge of the strip whilethe sheet is held stationary.

35. A machine for wiping a strip across the edge of a sheet of materialto one face of which, along the said edge, an edge of the strip issecured so that the sheet and the strip extend from the secured-togetheredges at an angle to each other, the said machine having, incombination, means for feeding the sheet and the strip step by step, andmeans for engaging the strip at points where the strip is secured to thesheet and, during pauses in the feed, for wiping the strip diagonallyacross the secured-together edges from the said points towards theunsecured edge of the strlp.

36. A machine for wiping a strip across the edge of a sheet of materialto one face of which, along the said edge, an edge of the strip issecured so that the sheet and the strip extend from the secured-togetheredges at an angle to each other, the said machine having, incombination, a wiper for wiping the strip across the secured-togetheredges, the wiper being adapted to engage the strip substantially atpoints where the strip is secured to the sheet, and means for bodilyactuating the wiper diagonally across the strip from the sald pointstowal ds the unsecured edge of the strip.

37. A machine for wiping a strip across the edge of a sheet of materialto one face of which, along the said. edge, an edge of the strip issecured so that the sheet and the strip extend from the secured-togetheredges at an angle to each other, the said machine having, incombination, a wiper adapted to engage the strip intermittentlysubstantially at points where the strip .is secured to the sheet, meansfor intermittently 'actuating the wiper diagonally across the strip fromthe said points towards the unsecured edge of the strip, meansintermittently|` movable to feed the unted s tr1p, and a fold-presserforvpressing the initially folded, fed strip into even contact otherface of thesheet.

38. A machine for wiping a strip. across the" edge of a sheet ofmaterial to one face ofiwhich, along the said edge, an edge of the stripis secured so that the sheet and the strip extend from thesecured-together edges at an angle to eachother, the said machinehaving, in combination, a wiper for wiping the strip tightly across thesecuredtogether edges. the wiper being adaptedto engage the stripsubstantially at points where the strip is secured to the sheet, aretainer cooperating with the wiper adapted to engage the other face ofthe sheet near thesaid points, and means for actuating the wiperdiagonally across the strip from the said points towards the unsecurededge of the strip.

39. A machine for folding a strip around the edge offa sheet of materialto one face of which, along the said edge, an edge of the strip issecured so that the sheet and the strip extend from the secured-togetheredges at an angle to each other, the said machinehaving, in combination,a wiper for wiping the strip tightly across .the securedtogether edges,a plow for initially7 folding the wiped strip around thesecured-together edges, the wiper being adapted to engage the stripsubstantially at points where the strip is secured to the sheet, andmeans for actuating the wiper diagonally across the strip from the saidpoints towards the unsecured edge of the strip and away from the plow.

. 40. A folding machine having,.in combination, a wiper for wiping a.strip across the edge of a sheet of material to one face of which, alongthe said edge, the strip is secured, means intermittently movable tofeed the wiped strip, and 'means for intermittently moving the wiperwith the wiped strip as it is fed.

4l. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a wiper,means for wiggling the wiper, and a. retainer co-operating with thewiper, the wiper having spiral teeth extending in the direction of themovement of the wiper.

42. A folding machine having, in combination, a wiper for wipingmaterial, a retainer adapted to clamp the material against the wiper,means and means whereby the wiperand the retainer release their holdupon the material upon the feeding means commencing to feed thematerial. i

with the y for feeding the material,-

43. The method of folding s, strip around the edge of a sheet ofmaterial to one face of which, along the said edge,an edge of the stripis secured so that the sheet and the strip extend from thesecured-togetlier edges at an angle to each other, the said methodcomprising engaging the strip substantially at oiits where the strip issecured to the sieet, and wiping the strip in a direction oblique to theplane of the sheet across the secured-together edges from the saidpoints towards the unsecured edge of the strip.

44. A machine for folding a strip around the edge of a sheet of materialto one face of which, along the said edge, an edge of the strip issecured so that the sheet and the strip extend from the secured-togetheredges at an angle to each other, the said machine having, incombination, a Wiper adapted to engage the strip substantially at pointswherethe strip is secured to the sheet, and means for actuating thewiper in a direction oblique to the plane of the sheet across thesecured-together edges from the said points towards the unsecured edgeof the strip.

45. A machine for wiping a strip across the edge of a sheet of materialto one face of which, along the said edge, an edge of the strip issecured so that the sheet and the strip extend from the secured-togetheredges at an angle to each other, the said machine having, incombination, a wiper for'wiping the strip across the secured-togetheredges, the wiper being adapted to engage the strip substantially atpoints where the strip is secured to the sheet, and means for wigglingthe wiper.

46. A machine for wiping a strip across the edge of a sheet of materialto one face of which, along the said edge, an edge of the strip issecured so that the sheet and the strip extend from the secured-togetheredges at an angle to each other, the said machine having, incombination, a wiper for wiping the strip across the secured-togetheredges, the wiper being adapted to engage the strip substantially atpoints where the strip is secured to the sheet, and means for actuatingthe wiper across the strip from the said points towards the unsecurededge of the strip in a substantially spiral direction. the wiper havinga substantially spiral tooth extending substantially in the direction ofmovement of the wiper.

47. A folding machine having, in combination, a fold presser, a wiper,feeding means, and means for actuating the wiper n in the line of feedto ,a position comparatively close to the fold presser.

48. A folding machine having, in combination, a fold presser, a supportagainst which the fold presser is adapted to press a fold, means forfeeding material to the fold presser, a separator and a wiper, theseparator being situate at a point opposite to the wi er.

49. machine of the class described having, in combination, a drive shafthaving gear teeth, a sliaft-liaving a gear meshing with the drive-shaftgear teeth, a wiper driven from the second-named shaft to wipeintermittently once during eacli revolution of the shaft, and means'permitting adjustment of the gear relatively to the gear teeth' toadjust the intermittent wiping action of the wiper.

50. A folding machine having, in combination, a wiper for wipingmaterial, means for actuating the wiper obliquely to and diagonally inthe plane of the material, and means whereby successive portions of thewiper are caused to wipe the material during its oblique and diagonalaetuation, the said successive portions being adapted to lie insubstantially the same plane while wipin 2(l. A machine for folding astrip around the edge of a'sheet of material to one face of which, alongthe said edge, an edge of the strip is secured so that the sheet and thestrip extend from the secured-together edges at an angle to each other,the said machine having, in combination, means for moving the unsecurededge of the strip across the secured-together edges into substantiallythe plane of the sheet, means for folding the moved strip around thesecured-together edges, a separator adapted to lie between the strip andthe secured-together edges at a point opposite to the moving means, anda fold presser for pressing the folded strip into even contact with theother face of the sheet.

52. A machine for folding a strip around the edge of a sheet of materialto one face of which, along the said edge, an edge of the strip issecured so that the sheet and the strip extend from the secured-togetheredges at an angle to each other, the said machine having, incombination, means for moving successive portions of the unsecured edgeof the strip across the secured-together edges, a plow for folding thesaid portion of the `strip around the secured-together edges after theyhave been moved across the secured- .together edges by the moving means,a separator adapted to lie between the strip and the secured-togetheredges just in front of` the plow, and a fold presser for pressing thefolded strip into even contact with the other face of the sheet.

53. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a rotaryshaft having a crank stem disposed at an angle to the shaft, a wipermounted upon the crank stem provided with a cam shoulder, and meansengaging the cam shoulder to maintain the wiper active.

54. A machine for folding a strip around the edge of a'sheet of materialto one face of which, along the said edge, an edge of the strip issecured so that the sheet and the strip extend from the secured-togetheredges at an angle to each other, the said machine having, incombination, a wiper for wiping the strip across the secured-togetheredges, the wiper being adapted to engage the strip substantially atpoints where the strip is securld to the sheet, a ietainer cooperatinwit the wi r a a te to enga the other face of thdmsheet pnear the Sadbpoints, means for actuating the Wiper obliquely to the plane of thesheet, and means whereby the successive portions of the wiper are causedto wipe the material during its oblique actuation, the said successiveportions being adapted to lie in substantiallyv the same plane whilewiping.

55. A machine for wiping a strip across the edge of a sheet of materialto one face of which, along the said edge, an edge of the strip issecured so that the sheet and the strip extend from the secured-togetheredges at an angle to each other, the said machine having, incombination, a wiper for wiping the strip across the secured-togetheredges, the wiper bein adapted to engage the strip substantial y atpoints where the strip is secured to the sheet, means for bodilyactuating the wiper diagonally across the strip from the said pointstowards the unsecured edfre of the strip, and means for folding thewiped strip around the secured-together edges.

56. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a platformhaving a portion for supporting a piece of work having a concave margin,means for operating upon the work along the concave margin, and meansfor feeding the work to the operating means over the supporting portionof the platform, the support having a portion inclined to the supportingportion and the inclined portion extending from a position close to theoperating means to permit the portions of the Work adjacent to theconcave margin t-o bend out of the plane of the work upon the inclinedrtion while the portions of the work adjacent to the line of bend aremaintained substantially unbent.

5T. A folding machine havin'g,^in coinbination, a platform having asubstantially plane portion for supporting a piecev of work having aconcave margin, means for folding the Work step by ste along the concavemargin, and means or feeding the work to the folding means step by stepover the platform in substantially the plane of the plane portion, thesupport having a portion inclined to the plane portion and the inclinedportion extending from a position close to the folding means to permitthe lpletely releases the material dur-mg the return movement'of thelow.

59. A folding machme having, in combination, a fold presser providedwith -an offset edge, a feed block and a feed oint intermittentlyoperable to feed materlal to the offset edge, a plow movable with thefeed block and the feed point adapted to fold the material against thefeed point during the .feeding movement, thereby determining the portionof the material that is to be operated upon by the offset edge, andmeans whereby the feed block, the feed point and the plow completelyrelease the material during their return movement.

60. The .method of folding material which comprises intermittentlyfeeding material,

fl t) folding it during the feeding movement, pressing down the fold soformed, and completely releasing the material during the intervalsbetween the intermittent feeding movements.

61. A folding machine having, in combination, aV fold lpresser, meansfor advancing material thereto, means for cutting the material with cutsof progressively varying length, and means for variably gaging thematerial in accordance with the length of the cuts.

62. A folding machine having, in combination, a fold presser, means foradvancing material thereto, and means for cutting the material with cutsof progressively varying length and for variablv gaging the material inaccordance with the edge contour I of the material.

G3. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a plow,means whereby the plow intermittently engages, moves with and folds apiece of material, means whereb v the plow intermittently disengages thematerial and is thereupon retracted, and a fold presser for pressing thefolded material.

64. A machine of the class described hav-y ing, in combination, meansfor intermittently feeding material, a plow, means whereby the materialis gripped by the feeding means and the plow, means for moving the plowwith the feeding means and to cause the plow to fold the material, andmeans for intermittently separating thc plow and the feeding means fromthe material and fo-r retracting the plow and` the feeding means.

65. A folding machine having, in combination, a fold presser, means forintermittently feeding material thereto, means adapted to engage thematerial and to move therewith towards the fold presser and fold itduring said movement, and' means for intermittently retracting saidmeans and to disengage the material during the retraction.

66. A folding machine having, in com-` bination, a fold presser, a `feedpoint, a plow, means whereby the feed point and the plow grip materialand move forward therewith towards the lfold presser, means whereby theplow folds the material during the forward movement, and means forsepa-rating the feed oint and the plow from the material and orreti-acting the plow and the feed point.

67. A folding machine having, in combination, a fold. presser, a feedpoint for advancing material thereto, a plow, and means for moving theplow with the feed point to cause one portion of the edge of thematerial to become folded, andthe folded edge gripped, between the feedpoint and a portion of the plow, and to cause another portion of thefolded edge to become further folded between the feed point and anotherportion of the plow.

68. A folding machine having, in combin'ation, a fold presser, a feedpoint` for advancing material thereto, a plow having an upstandingportion, and means for mov- -ing the plow with the feed point to causethe edge of the materialto become folded, and the lower portion of thefolded edge to become gripped', between the plow and the feed point. and-to cause the upstanding portion to fold the upper portion ofthe foldagainst the feed point.

69. A machine of the class described having., in combination, means foradvancing material comprising a feed point and a plow movable therewithAadapted to form a fo-ld at a predetermined point in the material, and acurvilinear fold presser adapted to iron out the fold having an offsetedge to which the predetermined oint is advanced, whereby the offsetedge pinches the fold at the predetermined point.

70. A folding machine having, in combination, an upward and downwardmoving support for a piece of flexible material, a folld presser, acritter, :an 'inclined gage, means for feeding the material over thesupport to the fold presser along the upper portion of the` inclinedgage out of the path of the cutter when the support is in a loweredposition, and means for raising the support to cause the feeding meansto feed the material to the fold presser along the lower portion of theinclined gage in a pathintersecting the path of the cutter.

71. A folding machine having, in combination, a fold presser,a'plurality of elements for feeding material to the fold' presser, and ablock constrained to slide in a diagonal path for operating the feedelements.

72. A folding machine having, in combination, a fold presser, means foradvancing a sheet of material to the fold presser with the margin'folded over upon `the sheet, means whereby the fold presser isadaptedVto engage the folded-over sheet -at the edge and margin of the foldonly, and means whereby the fold presser is adapted to engage thesuccessive portions of the foldedover ortion of the sheet progressivelyfrom the e ge of thefold inward to progressively press the saidsuccessive portions of the folded-over portion from the edge of the foldinward.

73. A folding machine having, in combination, a frame, a knife mountedon the frame, a support removably mounted in the frame, and mechanismfor feeding and folding the margin of sheet material mounted in thesupport and removable with the su port.

#LA folding machine having, in combination, a frame, a support pivotallymounted near the rear portion of the frame, folding mechanism mountedupon the support near the front portion of the frame, and means forpivotally actuating the support.

75. A machine of the class described having, in combination, 'a support,folding mechanism mounted upon the support, means for initiallyadjusting the support, and means for adjusting the support during theoperation of the machine.

76. A folding machine having, in combination, a support having anopening, feed means mounted upon the support, a block slidingly mountedwithin the opening, means for oscillating and sliding the block toeffect a movement of the support, whereby the feed means becomeseffective to feed material, means for folding portions of the material,and means for pressing the folded portions.

77. A folding machine having, in combil`nation, means for feedingmaterial, a plow, a

fold presser, means whereby the feeding means and the plow are adaptedto grip the material intermittently between them and to advance with thematerial towards the fold presser, and means for separating the plow andthe feeding means from the material at the end of each intermittentfeedin lmovement and for thereupon retracting t e feeding means and theplow from the fold presser.

78. A folding machine having, in combination, a fold presser having acurved working face, and means for actuating the fold presser to causethe curved working face to engage folded* material at the edge andmargin of the fold and to roll progressively over the folded material`topress the folded material progressively from the edge of the foldinward.

79. A folding machine having, in combination, a pivoted member, a foldpresser having a curved working face pivoted to the member, a portion ofthe curved face being adapted to engage folded material at the edge andmargin of the fold, and poweroperated means connected to the foldpresser for pivotally actuating the fold presser about its pivotalconnection to the member to cause the curved face to roll progressivelyover the folded material from the edge of the fold inward.

80. A folding machine having, in combination, means for feedingmaterial, means for folding the material, and/means for first engagingthe folded materiall at the edge margin of the fold only and for thenengaging the foldedmaterial progressively from the edge of the foldinward to progressively press the folded material from the edge of thefold inward.

81. A folding machine having, in combination, means for foldin thelmargin of sheet material that is a apted to be fed through the machine,av fold presser having a curved working face a portion of which .isadapted to engage the foldedmargin atthe edge and margin of the fold,and means for actuating the fold presser to cause the curved workingface to engage the folded margin at the edge of the fold and to rollover the folded margin from the edge of the fold substantially at rightangles to the edge of the fold to press the folded margin progressivelyagainst the sheet from the edge of the fold inward.

82. A folding machine having` in combination, means for feedingmaterial, a plow for folding the' material, a fold presservhaving acurved working face to which the folded material is adapted to be fed bythe feeding means, and means for actuating the fold presser to cause thecurved working face to engage the folded material at the edge and marginof the fold and to roll progressively over the folded material to pressthe folded material progressively from the edge of the fold inward.

83. A folding machine having. in combination, means for feedingmaterial, a plow for folding the material, a fold presser having acurved working face to which the folded material is adapted to be fed bythe gressively over the fol ed material from the edge of the foldinward.` y

84:. A folding -machine having, in combi-

